<p>I am applying to the School of Humanities at Rice. My statistics are lower than many of my classmates who are applying-most are valedictorians and in the top 10%-but I do have 11 APs, a 3.85 UW GPA, and a 2320 on the SAT. However, they are almost exclusively applying to Science/Engineering, and I indicated on my application I am interested in majoring in English, History, or various other humanities. Do you think my chances are higher, or at least I won't be judged by my classmates?</p>
<p>In admissions, you are compared to the people in your school. In other words, you are competing against your classmates. That’s because they have received the same education opportunity as you have. It’s hard to compare two kids from different schools and tell who has sought out the most in high school (or else the student population would be comprised of people from only rich private schools). The school of study has no effect of admissions. Rice knows that a large proportion of kids will change their minds. They mainly are looking for whether you can show them that by picking a specific school, you have a vested interest in a subject and that you know how to make the most out of education.</p>
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<p>If it truly had no effect on admissions, it would be possible to enroll an entire class of engineers. This is obviously not a desirable outcome, nor would any competent admissions office allow it.</p>
<p>It’s less a matter of which schools of study the other students from your school are applying to than a question of which schools of study the overall applicant pool applied to. If there weren’t many humanities applications, humanities applicants have a better chance, because they have to admit some students interested in the humanities.</p>
<p>RedSeven - The odds of that happening are extremely slim. Also, many people change majors during their time at Rice. Major sizes also vary from year to year.</p>
<p>You are compared against your classmates regardless of major anyhow.</p>